Miami Dolphins Not Invited to Bid on 2018 Super Bowl

Miami was among six cities vying for hosting duties

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The local host committee that was hoping to bring the 2018 Super Bowl to South Florida has learned that it hasn't been invited to bid for the game.

The Miami Dolphins were vying once again for Super Bowl hosting duties. The Miami Herald reported Tuesday that the team had formally applied to host Super Bowl 52, to be held in 2018, at this week's NFL fall meetings.

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“We’re obviously disappointed that our effort to bring the Super Bowl back to South Florida wasn’t successful,” Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel told the Herald. "We've had 10 Super Bowls here because it’s an ideal market to host big events, but we’re now facing more intense competition from multiple modernized facilities. We will continue to work hard to attract big events – and their corresponding economic impact and job creation – to the state of Florida."

Miami was one of half a dozen cities applying for hosting duties, including Tampa.

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The Dolphins' bids to host Super Bowl 50 and 51 failed earlier this year, as the NFL awarded the 2016 Super Bowl to San Francisco and the 2017 big game to Houston. The failure to secure public funding for a round of upgrades and renovations at Sun Life Stadium is believed to be a major reason why Miami lost out.

The team has not given up on renovating the stadium, however, and the effort to host Super Bowl 52 suggests owner Stephen Ross is optimistic the team can make the renovations happen.

Ross said in August, "Have I given up? The answer is no. The importance of the team, the importance of bringing marquee events to Miami is paramount."

He believes that renovations are the key to Sun Life's continued viability as a host for high profile events like the Super Bowl and international soccer matches. In addition to stating his intentions, Ross has started a political action committee and is reportedly considering hiring former Miami-Dade mayor Alex Penelas to head up government relations for the team.

Of the 10 Super Bowls Miami has hosted, five were played at Sun Life Stadium (the other five were played at the Orange Bowl prior to the opening of Sun Life). Miami last hosted the Super Bowl in 2010. Only New Orleans has also hosted that many Super Bowls.